A Man-Made Disease 1

Cancer is a Man-Made Disease

Megan Brown
Old Dominion University
A Man-Made Disease 2

Abstract
Cancer is among the leading cause of death globally. In 2012 alone, there were 14 million
new cases of cancer and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths worldwide (Cancer Statistics).
Several factors contribute to developing cancer, and researchers are in fact starting to call cancer
a man-made disease through pollution and changes to our diet and lifestyle (Heyes). The
incidence of cancer will only rise with time unless individuals are presented information on how
to prevent this disease. The following literature reviews will demonstrate and support this
hypothesis as well as provide knowledge on how people can modify their lifestyles to prevent
cancer.

Review of Literature
Modern Industrialization
My article of focus discusses how cancer is confirmed to be a man-made disease. In this
article, Heyes (2016) writes that cancer is caused by modern-day phenomena like pollution and
dietary intake. Heyes provides further information on how researches at the University of
Manchester came to this conclusion. These researches examined remains and literature from
ancient Greece and Egypt and discovered the first historical diagnosis of cancer. The researchers
noted that they only found one incident of cancer while examining hundreds of Egyptian
mummies.
Throughout the article, Heyes also mentions researchers found very few references to
cancer in the literature they reviewed, indicating cancer was a very unfamiliar and sparse disease
during that period. Also discusses is how after the Industrial Revolution, cancer rates rose
tremendously especially in children which indicates that the rise in cancer is not correlated to
individuals now living longer lives. Prof. Rosalie David, of the Faculty of Life Sciences
expressed There is nothing in the natural environment that can cause cancer. So, it has to be a
man-made disease, down to pollution and changes to our diet and lifestyle.
Not only did researchers examine mummified remains and literary documents from
ancient Egypt and Greece, Heyes mentions they also examined medical findings of human and
animal remains from earlier periods of time, even extending to the age of dinosaurs. The first
diagnosis of cancer in these records was made by Prof. Michael Zimmerman, who is based at
Villanova University near Philadelphia. He managed to diagnose rectal cancer in an
unidentified mummy, an ordinary person who lived in the Dakhleh Oasis during the Prolemaic
period (200-400 AD). Zimmerman quotes, In an acient society lacking surgical intervention,
evidence of cancer should remain in all cases. The virtual absence of malignancies in mummies
must be interpreted as indicating their rarity in antiquity, indicating that cancer causing factors
are limited to societies affected by modern industrialization. All of these results support the
hypothesis of cancer being a modern, man-made disease.

Cancer
This journal article in the American Cancer Society by Alteri et al. (2017) discusses what
cancer is and its facts and figures. Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the
uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. If the spread is not controlled, it can result in
death. Although the reason for many cancers, particularly those that occur during childhood,
remains unknown, established cancer causes include lifestyle (external) factors, such as tobacco
use and excess body weight, and non-modifiable (internal) factors, such as inherited genetic
A Man-Made Disease 3

mutations, hormones, and immune conditions. These risk factors may act simultaneously or in
sequence to initiate and/or promote cancer growth (Alteri et al., 2017).
A substantial amount of cancers can be prevented through creating a healthier lifestyle for
oneself. By not smoking, eating healthier foods, and maintaining an active lifestyle, the chances
of being diagnosed with cancer greatly decreases. Many cancers can be averted through lifestyle
changes that are possible. It is important that these habits become common knowledge in hopes
of depleting cancer rates.

Cancer Interventions
This article by Harris et al. (2004) suggests interventions provided by The Cancer
Prevention and Control Research Network proven to reduce the burden and discrepancy of
cancer, primarily amidst minorities. The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network
focuses on developing new interventions and disseminating and translating proven interventions
into practice to reduce cancer burden and disparities. The interventions they provide include an
increase in physical activity, tobacco control, eating healthy, sun avoidance, and early screening
for timely cancer detection. The authors indicate that the burden of cancer in the United States
remains high, and the incidences of cancer and mortalities continue at a steady rate. Cancer is
the second leading cause of death in the United States as well as a leading cause of morbidity.
Cancer accounts for one of every four deaths (Harris, et al., 2004). This rate is extremely
alarming and individuals need to be informed that these rates can be lowered with lifestyle
changes and effort.
Data from the Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System reveal
underuse of primary-preventative and early-detection behaviors. In 2002, 21% of
Washingtonians aged 18 or older smoked, 15% were physically inactive during leisure time, 76%
ate inadequate quantities of fruits and vegetables, and 60% were overweight or obese (Harris et
al., 2004). This data is only from Washington and we can already conclude that things need to
change throughout the rest of America.
This article presents four priority community sectors to approach in hopes of reducing the
risks of cancer: 1) schools and youth, 2) work sites and labor unions, 3) health care providers, 4)
and low-income housing. It is important to introduce physical activity and an improved
nutrition during childhood and to implement these healthy lifestyles throughout growth and
aging.

Exercise Biology
In this article, Booth et al. (2000) discusses a blueprint for exercise biology in todays
society and why it is important for the health of Americans as well as the costs that come with
being unhealthy. The first part of our plan provides statistics to support the contention that there
has been an epidemic emergence of modern chronic diseases in the latter part of the 20th century.
The health care costs of these conditions were almost two-thirds of a trillion dollars and affected
90 million Americans in 1990 (Booth et al, 2000). The costs are estimated to succeed $1 trillion
dollars and dramatically increase as the baby boom generation ages, says Booth et al. (2000).
Studies show that secondary and tertiary interventions arent working well to overt the
clinical problems associated with cancer and other chronic diseases, and we must approach this
epidemic at the primary prevention measures. This requires addressing the roots of these
conditions at the environmental level, starting with physical inactivity. In this respect, a strong
association exists between the increase of physical inactivity and the emergence of modern
A Man-Made Disease 4

chronic diseases in 20th century industrialized societies. Approximately 250,000 deaths per year
in the United States are premature due to physical inactivity. Epidemiological data have
established that physical inactivity increases the incidence of at least 17 unhealthy conditions,
almost all of which are chronic diseases or considered risk factors for chronic diseases (Booth et
al., 2000).
As you can see, just by being physically inactive the possibility of incurring cancer or
another chronic disease greatly increases with time. To encourage activity and lead healthier
lifestyles, individuals would be able to avoid the trauma and burden caused by chronic diseases
and in the long run create an investment for future health care in the new millennium by avoiding
US health care system bankruptcy.

Alcohol Consumption
This article by Li et al. (2011) discusses the correlation of alcohol consumption and
cancer. The research was primarily carried out in the Chinese population to examine the
responsibility alcohol has in relation to developing cancer. Ethanol itself is not carcinogenic.
However, its first metabolite (acetaldehyde) has recently been shown to be a local carcinogen in
humans. Moreover, alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for numerous cancers
worldwide (Li et al., 2011).
Also provided in the article are studies that primarily focus on alcohol consumption as a
risk factor. After the studies, the researchers found that alcohol was a significant risk factor for at
least five cancers, including gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oral
cancer, and liver cancer. Although the effect of alcohol in correlation to cancer may vary with
ethnicity, it is important for other nations to consider these studies and results for their own good.
Alcohol plays an important role in many cultures, however for the health of individuals it is
smart to reduce their alcohol intake frequency and portions as it is a risk factor for certain
cancers.

Nutrition
It has been estimated that 30-40 percent of all cancers can be prevented by lifestyle and
dietary measures alone. Obesity, nutrient sparse foods such as concentrated sugars and refined
flour products that contribute to impaired glucose metabolism (which leads to diabetes), low
fiber intake, consumption of red meat, and imbalance of omega 3 and omega fats all contribute to
excess cancer risk (Donaldson, 2004). Eating cleaner foods such as more fruits and vegetables
and incorporating less processed foods in ones diet greatly decreases the chances of cancer.
Supplementary use of oral digestive enzymes and probiotics also has merit as anticancer dietary
measures (Donaldson, 2004).
Individuals having a healthier diet, there is a significant decrease in the possibility of
obtaining many cancers such as breast, colorectal, prostate, lung, and other sites. Such diet would
also be beneficial to recovery of cancer as well, says Donaldson. It has been estimated by the
American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund that 30-40 percent
of all cancers can be prevented by appropriate diets, physical, activity, and maintenance of
appropriate body weight (Donaldson, 2004).
Overeating is one of the main risk factors for cancer. Obesity is an epidemic in the United
States with 64% of the adult population overweight or obese. Mokdad et al. found that poor diet
and physical inactivity was the second leading cause of death (400,000 per year in the USA), and
would likely overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death (Donaldson, 2004). Authors have
A Man-Made Disease 5

estimates that over 90,000 deaths a year caused by cancer can be prevented if the adult
population maintained a healthier diet and normal body weight.

Obesity
In this article, Ligibel et al. (2014) discuss how obesity is a major risk factor for cancer.
In the last three decades, obesity has increased significantly with more than 1/3 of adults
categorized as obese as well as 17% of children. As many as 84,000 cancer diagnoses each year
are attributed to obesity, and overweight and obesity are implicated in 15% to 20% of total
cancer-related mortality (Ligibel et al., 2014).
Recent data shows that women with breast cancer who were also obese showed a great
increase in mortality opposed to women that were normal weight at diagnosis. On top of that,
obese men have an increased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. Emerging data
suggests that obesity plays a role in other cancers as well. Public awareness of how obesity can
lead to cancer is very limited and we must take action to make this universal knowledge in hopes
to avoid more incidences and casualties of cancer. Obesity is a complex societal problem, and it
will take significant time and effort on the part of many organizations to reduce the incidence of
overweight and obesity among ourselves, our patients, their family members, and the general
population (Ligibel et al., 2014).
Demographics
In this article by McCormack et al. (2011), the authors discuss cancer being more
prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. In these countries, demographic influences alone
create a greater risk in cancer. With Westernization of lifestyles, it is projected that these
countries are likely to undergo negative changes in diet and physical activity, smoking, alcohol
consumption, and excess body weight. With these changes, an increase in cancer rates will occur.

It is critical that we realize tomorrows cancer cases will arise from todays younger
adult population (McCormack et al., 2011). The current lifestyle of todays young adults will
impact cancer rates negatively unless we start teaching healthier lifestyles and the consequences
of an unhealthy lifestyle at a young age.

Death Rates
In this article by Weir et al. (2016), authors discuss death rates of cancer in the United
States. By 2020, cancer related deaths is expected to increase 91.1% in men and 101.1% in
women. Cancer is also predicted to become the number one leading cause of death by 2020.
Death rates from cancer are only projected to rise as pollution continues, people persist in
leading unhealthy lifestyles, and population growth and aging resume.
Access to quality healthcare, early-diagnostic screening, timely follow-up, and treatments
are all interventions individuals must have access to and utilize. The extreme rates of cancer
incidences and deaths is startling and it is important to work as a nation to prevent this disease
and lower the rates of cancer and its mortalities.

Statistics
Cancer plays a major burden in modern society. Statistics tell us things such as how
many people are diagnosed with and die from cancer each year, the number of people who are
currently living after a cancer diagnosis, the average age at diagnosis, and the numbers of people
who are still alive at a given time after diagnosis. They also tell us about differences among
A Man-Made Disease 6

groups defined by age, sex, racial/ethnic group, geographic location, and other categories
(National Cancer Institute, 2017). It is estimated that 1,685,210 new cases of cancer will be
diagnosed and 595,690 people will die from the disease in the United States alone just in 2016.
Cancer cases is expected to rise 22 million within the next two decades, states the
Nation Cancer Institute. It is extremely important that these numbers are knowledge on an
individual and societal level. People need to be made aware that they are putting themselves at
risk to be diagnosed with cancer when they may not even realize it.